We honor our outstanding seniors for their academic excellence, contributions to research, and scholarship. As truly exceptional members of our community, we recognize their hard work and dedication to the field of psychology.
Dani Wagner
Outstanding Overall Senior Award
My favorite memory has to be the crafting workshops I conducted for my thesis! I hosted crafting workshops for autistic young adults involving modifying weighted stuffed animals to make them heavier and die them different colors. We had a great time, and all the participants were so creative! I loved finding a creative way to contribute to the research community.
So many people, both in the department and out of it, were so helpful to me in my undergraduate journey. Dr. Ashley Woodman and Elodie Carel were such incredible mentors to me throughout my thesis experience and beyond, and Drs. John Bickford, Carolyn Davies, and Amanda Hamel were all delights to serve as a TA for. I’m so honored to have gotten to work with so many brilliant people throughout my time here!
Jacob Solomon
Academic Excellence Award
My favorite memories within the Psychology Department involve the individuals I've met as both a TA for Psych 380 and a RA for the Learning Lab. I am very grateful to have gotten to know these individuals, worked together on meaningful projects, and shared laughs along the way.
I would like to thank Dr. Halgin and Dr. McDermott (as well as the members of the Learning Lab) for all of their guidance that has allowed me to grow as an individual and achieve my goals at UMass. I would also like to give a shout out to my friends and family for continually sticking by my side and offering me support.
Daniel Distefano
Outstanding Thesis Award
A fond memory of mine was when I presented the preliminary results of my thesis in Boston this semester. I had a fantastic time with the other members of the Learning Lab, and I had many meaningful discussions with researchers who were interested in my work and the social experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
I'd like to shout out my PI, Dr. Jen McDermott! She has given me so much support for this project, and I am beyond grateful to have had such an understanding, wise, and kind mentor!
Berni Leidner Exceptional Achievement Award
A favorite memory would have to be becoming a primary researcher on The Infant Study of the Somneuro Lab at UMass. This experience was equally challenging and rewarding and taught me so much about the true extent of my capabilities. It instilled a sense of discipline and confidence in myself as an independent researcher that has allowed me to expand both my passions and skillset.
I would like to give a shoutout to each and every person that composes the amazing and talented team of the Somneuro Lab. Specifically, I would like to thank Dr. Rebecca Spencer and Dr. Melissa Horger not only for this recognition, but also for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a researcher under their guidance. I would also like to thank my thesis sponsor, Dr. Charlotte Wilinsky for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout all of my academic endeavors.
Mariah Christopher
Outstanding Internship Award
A favorite memory from my time in the department is being a part of the Vital Lab run by Maria Galano, and honestly any class I have taken with Lori Astheimer!
I want to shout out Linda Isabell and Christina Metevier they have had such a huge impact on me over this last semester, and I am so grateful for them.
Emily Allman
Excellence in Service and Leadership Awards
One of my favorite memories from my time in the PBS department was helping out during the Psychology presentations at Destination Days. Being able to share my love for UMass and the Psychology major with admitted students was so rewarding, and I really enjoyed hearing their excitement for the future!
I would like to give a shout-out to Becky Schneider and Katharine Daube for always believing in my abilities to support my fellow students as well as the other PBS peer advisors I have worked closely with. I would also like to shout out Aanchal Setia and Dr. Nilanjana Dasgupta in the Implicit Social Cognition Lab for their continued support and mentorship throughout my honors thesis process.
Zoë Miller
Excellence in Service and Leadership Awards
My favorite memory from my time in the department is being a Teaching Assistant for Psych 380 and Psych 103/SPACE. I absolutely loved being able to share my knowledge with other students, connect with my peers, and be a mentor to underclassmen in the department. It was such rewarding work, watching students grow and thrive, all while being able to connect with other TAs, grad students, and faculty.
Shout out to CASL Lab, especially PI Dr. Katie Dixon-Gordon and Lab Manager Connie. The CASL team is a wonderfully unique group of people passionate about understanding intense emotions and preventing suicide in our community and beyond, through academic rigor, expanding research, and compassionate listening.
Delia Clotfelter
Teaching Assistant Excellence Award
A favorite memory of mine is when I took the psych seminar, Studies of Consciousness. I was nervous about taking it at first, but it was such a unique educational experience combining neuroscience and philosophy. It was one of the first times I felt like I could be creative in a STEM class.
I would like to shout out Kyle Cave for seeing my potential as a TA and for being such a wonderful professor. Qing Zhao for being an amazing instructor and always taking the time to do tasks for others even in her very busy schedule. Lastly Rosanna, my best friend and fellow psych major, without whom I would not have survived my classes.
Heeya Ajwani
Research Assistant Excellence Awards
A favorite memory of mine was my Culture and Mental Health seminar by Dr. Maria Galano my senior year fall semester. This class was truly one of the most intellectually stimulating and informative classes at UMass. I learnt a variety of things around treatment access, treatment efficacy, interventions, and measurement in relation to culture which were later incorporated in my research pursuits!
Shoutout to my lab! I was in the Clinical Affective Science Lab since my freshman year and that truly shaped my growth over the years. My lab members were always supportive, encouraging, collaborative, and super fun to chat with! I will terribly miss everyone!
Emma LaFond
Research Assistant Excellence Awards
One of my favorite memories was presenting at the PBS Undergraduate Research Symposium. I was able to speak with so many past professors and faculty that I admired, using psychology knowledge and research skills that I had learned from their classes!
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lindsey Mooney, Dr. Melissa Horger, and Dr. Rebecca Spencer in the Somneuro Lab. I would like to thank them for being such amazing research mentors for 3 years. Their passion for science is inspiring and motivates me continue research long term.